Centurion: Keeping in mind, cricket is a game of ‘glorious uncertainties’ it will be impossible for India to avoid defeat in the second Test against South Africa at the Super Sport Park when the game resumes here Wednesday. At stumps Tuesday, the fourth day, the visitors were 35 for three chasing a target of 287 with Cheteshwar Pujara (11 batting) and Parthiv Patel (five batting). Earlier in the second innings South Africa scored 258, but that as of now looks a monumental score now.
The crux of the matter, however, is that on a pitch where the Indian pacers dominated, their South African counterparts would be equally if not doubly effective. Technically, the South African batsmen are far more adept on playing or for that matter leaving the ball than the Indian batters, and that came to the fore once more.
Among the three batsmen dismissed were first innings centurion Virat Kohli who was leg before to debutant Lungi Ngidi. It was an unplayable delivery as one of the commentators stated. Kohli went for the review anyway, but it was more out of frustration than anything else as the ball had cut back while keeping low.
Earlier Mohammed Shami (4/49), Jasprit Bumrah (3/70) and Ishant Sharma (2/40) did not allow the hosts to prosper much. Shami surprised AB de Villiers (80, 121b, 10×4) with a ball that reared sharply and took the batsman’s gloves en route to Patel’s gloves. Dean Elgar (61, 121b, 8×4, 1×6) mistimed his hook and hit the ball down KL Rahul’s throat at square-leg.
However, Quinton de Kock’s innings was the most bizarre. He faced four deliveries from Shami, edged all four behind. The first three evaded the fielders to run to the boundary while the fourth was gleefully snapped up by Patel.
But amidst all this Faf (du Plessis) remained unflappable. He scored 48 (141b, 4×4), but then it was his desire just to stay in the middle that gave hope to South Africa. On a pitch of variable bounce every run would matter and Du Plessis in the company of Vernon Philander (26) took the match away from India’s grasp.
Game, set and series to South Africa… not yet, but very much on the cards.
Agencies
